章节目录 I AM ESTHER

(88106 www.88106.info)    IwasputtinglentilsoupontheboilforoureveningmealwhenNesimsaid,“There’savisitoratthedoor.”Ireplied,“Makesurethesoupdoesn’tburn,”handinghimthespoonandgivingitacoupleofturnsinthepotwhileholdinghisagedhand.Ifyoudon’tshowthem,they’llstandthereforhoursidlyholdingthespooninthepot.

    WhenIsawBlackatthedoorIfeltnothingbutpityforhim.TherewassuchanexpressiononhisfaceIwasafraidtoaskwhathadhappened.

    “Don’tbothertocomeinside,”Isaid,“I’llbeoutassoonasIchangeclothes.”

    IdonnedthepinkandyellowgarmentsthatIwearwhenI’minvitedtoRamadanfestivities,wealthybanquetsandlengthyweddings,andtookupmyholidaysatchel.“I’llhavemysoupwhenIgetback,”IsaidtopoorNesim.

    BlackandIhadcrossedonestreetinmylittleJewishneighborhoodwhosechimneyslabortoexpeltheirsmoke,thewayourkettlesforceouttheirsteam,andIsaid:“Shekure’sformerhusbandisback.”

    Blackfellsilentandstayedthatwayuntilwelefttheneighborhood.Hisfacewasashen,thecolorofthewaningday.

    “Wherearethey?”heaskedsometimelater.

    FromthisquestionIguessedthatShekureandherchildrenweren’tathome.“They’reattheirhouse,”Isaid.BecauseImeantShekure’sprevioushome,andknewatoncethatthiswouldsingeBlack’sheart,Iopenedadoorofhopeforhimbytackingtheword“probably”ontotheendofmystatement.

    “Haveyouseenhernewlyreturnedhusband?”heaskedme,lookingdeepintomyeyes.

    “Ihaven’tseenhim,neitherdidIseeShekure’sflightfromthehouse.”

    “Howdidyouknowthey’dleft?”

    “Fromyourface.”

    “Tellmeeverything,”hesaiddecisively.

    Blackwassotroubledhedidn’tunderstandthatEsther—hereyeeternallyatthewindow,hereareternallytotheground—couldnever“telleverything”ifshewantedtocontinuetobetheEstherwhofoundhusbandsforsomanydreamymaidensandknockedonthedoorsofsomanyunhappyhomes.

    “WhatI’veheard,”Isaid,“isthatthebrotherofShekure’sformerhusband,Hasan,visitedyourhouse”—itheartenedhimwhenIsaid“yourhouse”—“andtoldShevketthathisfatherwasonhiswayhomefromwar,thathewouldarrivearoundmidafternoon,andthatifhedidn’tfindShevket’smotherandbrotherintheirrightfulhome,he’dbeveryupset.Shevkettoldthistohismother,whoactedcautiously,butcouldn’tcometoadecision.Towardmidafternoon,ShevketleftthehousetobewithhisUncleHasanandhisgrandfather.”

    “Wheredidyoulearnthesethings?”

    “Hasn’tShekuretoldyouaboutHasan’sschemesoverthelasttwoyearstogetherbacktohishouse?TherewasatimewhenHasansentletterstoShekurethroughme.”

    “Didsheeverrespondtothem?”

    “IknowallthevarietiesofwomeninIstanbul,”Isaidproudly,“there’snoonewho’sasboundtoherhouse,herhusbandandherhonorasShekureis.”

    “ButIamherhusbandnow.”

    Hisvoiceborethattypicallymaleuncertaintythatalwaysdepressedme.Amazingly,towhicheversideShekurefled,theothersidewenttopieces.

    “HasanwroteanoteandgaveittometodelivertoShekure.ItdescribedhowShevkethadcomehometoawaitthereturnofhisfather,howShekurehadbeenmarriedinanillegitimateceremony,howShevketwasveryunhappyonaccountofthefalsehusbandwhowassupposedtobehisnewfatherandhowhewasnevergoingback.”

    “HowdidShekurerespond?”

    “ShewaitedforyouallthroughthenightwithpoorOrhan.”

    “WhataboutHayriye?”

    “Hayriye’sbeenwaitingforyearsfortheopportunitytodrownyourbeautifulwifeinaspoonfulofwater.ThiswaswhyshebegansleepingwithyourEnishte,mayherestinpeace.WhenHasansawthatShekurewasspendingthenightaloneinfearofmurderersandghosts,hesentalonganothernotethroughme.”

    “Whatdidhewrite?”

    ThanksbetoGodthatyourunfortunateEsthercan’treadorwrite,becausewhenirateEffendisandirritablefathersaskthisquestion,shecansay:“Icouldn’treadtheletter,onlythefaceofthebeautifulmaidenreadingtheletter.”

    “WhatdidyoureadinShekure’sface?”

    “Helplessness.”

    Foralongtimewedidn’tspeak.Awaitingnightfall,anowlwasperchedonthedomeofasmallGreekchurch;runny-nosedneighborhoodkidslaughedatmyclothesandbundle,andamangydoghappilyscratchinghimselflopeddownfromthecemeterylinedwithcypressestogreetthenight.

    “Slowdown!”IshoutedatBlacklater,“Ican’tgetupthesehillsthewayyoucan.Whereareyoutakingmewithmysatchellikethis?”

    “BeforeyoubringmetoHasan’shouse,I’mtakingyoutosomegenerousandbraveyoungmensoyoucanspreadoutyourbundleandsellthemsomefloweryhandkerchiefs,silksashesandpurseswithsilverembroideryfortheirsecretlovers.”

    ItwasagoodsignthatBlackcouldstillmakejokesinhispitiablestate,butIcouldfathomtheseriousnessbehindhismirth.“Ifyou’regoingtogatheraposse,I’llnevertakeyoutoHasan’shouse,”Isaid.“I’mfrightenedtodeathoffightsandbrawls.”

    “IfyoucontinuetobetheintelligentEstheryou’vealwaysbeen,”hesaid,“there’llbeneitherfightnorbrawl.”

    WepassedthroughAksarayandenteredtheroadheadingback,straighttowardtheLangagardens.Ontheupperpartofthemuddyroad,inaneighborhoodthathadseenhappierdays,Blackwalkedintoabarbershopthatwasstillopen.Isawhimtalkingtothemasterbarberbeingshavedbyanhonest-lookingboywithlovelyhandsbythelightofanoillamp.Beforelong,thebarber,hishandsomeapprentice,andlater,twomoreofhismenjoinedupwithusatAksaray.Theycarriedswordsandaxes.AtasidestreetinShehzadebash1,atheologystudent,whomIcouldn’tpictureinvolvedinsuchroughaffairs,joinedusinthedarkness,swordinhand.

    “Doyouplanonraidingahouseinthemiddleofthecityinbroaddaylight?”Isaid.

    “It’snotday,it’snight,”saidBlackinatonemorepleasedthanjoking.

    “Don’tbesoconfidentjustbecauseyou’veputtogetheragang,”Isaid.“Let’shopetheJanissariesdon’tcatchsightofthisfullyequippedlittlearmywanderingaround.”

    “Noonewillcatchsightofus.”

    “YesterdaytheErzurumisfirstraidedatavernandthenthedervishhouseatSa?1rkap1,beatingupeveryheyfoundinbothplaces.Anelderlymanwhotookablowtohisheadwithastickdied.Inthispitchblackness,theymightthinkyou’reoftheirlot.”

    “IhearyouwenttodearlydepartedElegantEffendi’shouse,sawhiswife,Godblessher,andthehorsesketcheswiththesmearedinkbeforerelayingitalltoShekure.HadElegantEffendibeenspendingalotoftimewiththehenchmenofthepreacherfromErzurum?”

    “IfIsoundedoutElegantEffendi’swife,itwasbecauseIthoughtitmightultimatelyhelpmypoorShekure,”Isaid.“Anyway,I’dgheretoshowherthelatestclothwhichhadcomeofftheFlemishship,nottoinvolvemyselfinyourlegalandpoliticalaffairs—whichmypoorbraincouldn’tfathomanyway.”

    Asweenteredthestreet,whichranbehindCharsh1kap1,myheartquickenedwithfear.Thebare,wet

    branchesofthechestnutandmulberrytreesglimmeredinthepalelightofthehalf-moon.Abreezekickedupbyjinnsandthelivingdeadrippledthelacededgingofmysatchel,whistledthroughthetreesandcarriedthescentofourgrouptoneighborhooddogslyinginwait.Astheybegantobarkonebyone,IpointedoutthehousetoBlack.Westaredquietlyatitsdarkroofandshutters.Blackhadthementakepositionsaroundthehouse:intheemptygarden,oneithersideofthecourtyardgateandbehindthefigtreesinback.

    “InthatentrywayoverthereisavileTatarbeggar,”Isaid.“He’sblind,buthe’llknowwho’scomeandgonealongthisstreetbetterthantheneighborhoodheadmandoes.HecontinuallyplayswithhimselfasifhewereoneoftheSultan’svulgarmonkeys.Withoutlettingyourhandtouchhis,givehimeightortensilverpiecesandhe’lltellyoueverythingheknows.”

    Fromadistance,IwatchedBlackhandoverthecoins,thenlayhisswordagainstthethroatofthebeggarandbegintopressurehimwithquestions.Next,I’mnotsurehowithappened,thebarber’sapprentice,whoIthoughtwassimplywatchingthehouse,begantobeattheTatarwiththebuttofhisaxe.Iwatchedforawhile,thinkingitwouldn’tlast,buttheTatarwaswailing.Iranoverandpulledthebeggarawaybeforetheykilledhim.

    “Hecursedmymother,”saidtheapprentice.

    “HesaysthatHasanisn’thome,”Blacksaid.“Canwetrustwhatthisblindmansays?”Hehandedmeanotethathe’dquicklywritten.“Takethis,bringittothehouse,giveittoHasan,andifhe’snotthere,giveittohisfather,”hesaid.

    “Haven’tyouwrittenanythingforShekure?”IaskedasItookthenote.

    “IfIsendheraseparatenote,it’llincitethemenofthehouseevenmore,”Blacksaid.“TellherI’vefoundherfather’svilemurderer.”

    “Isthistrue?”

    “Justtellher.”

    ChastisingtheTatar,whowasstillcryingandcomplaining,Iquietedhimdown.“Don’tforgetwhatI’vedoneforyou,”Isaid,comingtotherealizationthatI’ddrawnouttheincidentsoIwouldn’thavetoleave.

    WhyhadIstuckmynoseintothisaffair?TwoyearsagointheEdirneGateneighborhoodthey’dkilledaclothespeddlar—aftercuttingoffherears—becausethemaidenshe’dpromisedtoonemanmarriedanother.MygrandmotherusedtotellmethatTurkswouldoftenkillamanfornoreason.IlongedtobewithmydearestNesim,athomehavinglentilsoup.Eventhoughmyfeetresisted,IthoughtabouthowShekurewouldbethere,andwalkedtothehouse.Curiositywaseatingatme.

    “Clothierrr!IhavenewChinesesilksforholidayoutfits.”

    Isensedtheorangishlightfilteringoutbetweentheshuttersmove.Thedooropened.Hasan’spolitefatherinvitedmeinside.Thehousewaswarm,likethehousesoftherich.WhenShekure,whowasseatedatalowdiningtablewithherboyssawme,sherosetoherfeet.

    “Shekure,”Isaid,“yourhusband’shere.”

    “Whichone?”

    “Thenewer,”Isaid.“He’ssurroundedthehousewithhisbandofarmedmen.They’repreparedtofightHasan.”

    “Hasanisn’there,”saidthepolitefather-in-law.

    “Howfortunate.Takealookatthis,”Isaid,givinghimBlack’snotelikeaproudambassadoroftheSultanexecutingHismercilesswill.

    Asthegentlemanlyfather-in-lawreadthenote,Shekuresaid,“Esther,comeandletmepouryouabowloflentilsouptowarmyouup.”

    “Idon’tlikelentilsoup,”Isaidatfirst.Ididn’tlikethewayshespokeasifsheweremistressofthehouse.ButwhenIunderstoodthatshewantedtobealonewithme,Igrabbedthespoonandrushedafterher.

    “TellBlackthatit’sallbecauseofShevket,”shewhispered.“LastnightIwaitedallnightalonewithOrhandeathlyafraidofthemurderer.Orhantrembledwithfrightuntilmorning.Mychildrenhadbeenseparated!Whatkindofmothercouldremainapartfromherchild?WhenBlackfailedtocomeback,theytoldmethatOurSultan’storturershadmadehimtalkandthathe’dahandinmyfather’sdeath.”

    “Wasn’tBlackwithyouwhenyourfatherwasbeingkilled?”

    “Esther,”shesaid,openingherbeautifulblackeyeswide,“Ibegofyou,helpme.”

    “Thentellmewhyyou’vecomebackheresoImightunderstandandhelp.”

    “DoyouthinkIknowwhyI’vereturned?”shesaid.Sheseemedonthevergeoftears.“BlackwasroughwithmypoorShevket,”shesaid.“AndwhenHasansaidthatthechildren’srealfatherhadreturned,Ibelievedhim.”

    ButIcouldtellfromhereyesthatshewaslying,andsheknewIcouldtell.“IwasdupedbyHasan!”shewhispered,andIsensedthatshewantedmetoinferfromthisthatshelovedHasan.ButdidShekurerealizethatshewasthinkingmoreandmoreaboutHasanbecauseshehadmarriedBlack?

    ThedooropenedandHayriyeenteredcarryingfreshlybakedbreadwhosearomawasirresistible.Whenshecaughtsightofme,IcouldtellfromherexpressionofdispleasurethatafterthedeathofEnishteEffendi,thepoorthing—shecouldn’tbesold,couldn’tbedismissed—hadbecomealegacyofmiseryforShekure.Thescentoffreshbreadfilledtheroom,andIunderstoodthetruthofthematterasShekurefacedthechildren:Whetheritbetheirrealfather,HasanorBlack,herproblemwasn’tfindingahusbandshecouldlove,herchallengewastofin**therwhowouldlovetheseboys,bothofwhomwerewide-eyedwithfear.Shekurewasready,withthebestofintentions,toloveanygoodhusband.

    “You’reseekingwhatyouwantwithyourheart,”Isaidunthinkingly,“whereasyouneedtobemakingdecisionswithyourmind.”

    “I’mpreparedtogobacktoBlackimmediatelywiththechildren,”shesaid,“butIhavecertainconditions!”Shefellquiet.“HemusttreatShevketandOrhanwell.Heshan’tinquireaboutmyreasonsforcominghere.Aboveall,hemustabidebyouroriginalconditionsofmarriage—he’llknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Heleftmeallalofendformyselflastnightagainstmurderers,thievesandHasan.”

    “Hehasn’tyetfoundyourfather’smurderer,buthetoldmetotellyouhehas.”

    “ShouldIgotohim?”

    BeforeIcouldanswer,theformerfather-in-law,who’dlongsincefinishedreadingthenote,said,“TellBlackEffendiIcan’ttaketheresponsibilityofhandingovermydaughter-in-lawwithoutmysonbeingpresent.”

    “Whichson?”Isaidforthesakeofbeingshrewish,butsoftly.

    “Hasan,”hesaid.Sincehewasamanofetiquette,heblushed.“MyoldestsonisonhiswaybackfromPersia;therearewitnesses.”

    “Where’sHasan?”Iasked.IatetwospoonfulsofthesoupShekurehadofferedme.

    “Hewenttogathertheclerks,portersandothermenoftheCustomsOffice,”hesaidinthechildishmannerofdecentyetdullmenwhocannotlie.“AfterwhattheErzurumisdidyesterday,theJanissariesarecertaintobeonthestreetstonight.”

    “Wedidn’tseeanythingofthesort,”IsaidasIwalkedtowardthedoor.“Isthisallyouhavetosay?”

    Iaskedthisquestionofthefather-in-lawtointimidatehim,butShekureknewfullwellthatIwasreally

    addressingher.Washerheadtrulythisbefuddledorwasshehidingsomething;forexample,wassheawaitingthereturnofHasanandhismen?Oddly,IsensedthatIlikedherindecisiveness.

    “Wedon’twantBlack,”Shevketsaidconfidently.“Andmakethisyourlastvisit,fatlady.”

    “Butthenwho’llbringaroundthelacetablecloths,thehandkerchiefsembroideredwithflowersandbirdsthatyourprettymotherlikes,andyourfavoriteredshirtcloth?”Isaid,leavingmybundleinthemiddleoftheroom.“UntilIreturn,youcanopenitupandtakealook,tryon,alterandsewwhateveryoulike.”

    IwassaddenedasIleft.I’dneverseenShekure’seyessowetwithtears.AssoonasIadjustedtothecoldoutside,Blackstoppedmeonthemuddyroad,swordinhand.

    “Hasan’snothome,”Isaid.“Perhapshe’sgothemarkettobuywocelebrateShekure’sreturn.Perhapshe’llsoonbebackwithhismen.Inthatcaseyou’llcometoblows,becausehe’scrazy.Andifhetakesupthatredswordofhis,there’snotellingwhathe’lldo.”

    “WhatdidShekuresay?”

    “Thefather-in-lawsaidabsolutelynot,Iwon’tgiveupmydaughter-in-law,butifIwereyouIwouldn’tworryabouthim,worryaboutShekure.Yourwifeisconfused.Ifyouaskme,shetookrefugeheretwodaysafterherfatherperishedforfearofthemurderer,becauseofHasan’sthreatsandyourdisappearancewithoutaword.Sheknewshecouldn’tspendanothernightinthatsamehouseplaguedbythesamefears.Theyalsotoldherthatyouhadahandinherfather’sdeath.Butherfirsthusbandhasn’tcomebackoranythinglikethat.Shevket,anditseemsthefather-in-law,believedHasan’slie.Shewantstoreturntoyou,butshehascertainconditions.”

    StaringdirectlyintoBlack’seyes,Ilistedherconditions.Heacceptedatoncewithanofficialairasifhewerespeakingwithagenuineambassador.

    “I,too,haveacondition,”Isaid.“I’mheadingbackintothehouseagain.”Ipointedouttheshuttersofthewindowbehindwhichthefather-in-lawsat.“Inalittlewhileattackfromthereandthefrontdoor.WhenIscream,that’llbethesignalforyoutostop.IfHasanarrives,don’thesitatetoattackhim.”

    Mywords,ofcourse,didnotbefitanambassador,towhomnoharmshouldcome,butIletmyselfgetcarriedaway,yousee.Thistime,assoonasIyelled“Clothierrr,”thedooropened.Iwentdirectlytothefather-in-law.

    “Theentireneighborhood,andthejudgewhopresidesovertheseparts,thatiseveryone,knowsthatShekurehaslongbeendivorcedandproperlyremarriedinkeepingwiththedictatesoftheKoran,”Isaid.“Evenifyourson,whohaslongsincepassedaway,camebacktolifeandreturnedheretoyoufromHeaveninthecompanyoftheProphetMoses,it’dbeofnouseforhe’sdivorcedfromShekure.

    You’veabductedamarriedwomanandareholdingherhereagainstherwill.BlackrequestedthatItellyouheandhismenwillseetoyourpunishmentforthiscrimebeforethejudgecan.”

    “Thenhewillhavemadeagravemistake,”saidthefather-in-lawdelicately.“Wedidn’tabductShekureatall!I’mthegrandfatherofthesechildren,praisebetoGod.Hasanistheiruncle.WhenShekurewasleftallalone,whatchoicedidshehavebuttoseekshelterhere?Ifshewants,shecanleavenowandtakeherchildrenwithher.Butneverforgetthatthisisherfirsthome,whereshegavebirthtoherchildrenandhappilyraisedthem.”

    “Shekure,”Isaidunthinkingly,“doyouwanttoreturntoyourfather’shouse?”

    She’dbeguntocryonaccountofthe“happyhearth”speech.“Ihavenofather,”shesaid,orwasthathowIheardit?Herchildrenfirstembracedherlegs,thensatherdownandhuggedher;thethreeofthemhuggedoneanotherinalargeballandwept.ButEstherisnoidiot:IknewfullwellthatShekure’stearsweremeanttoappeasebothsideswithoutherhavingtomakeadecision.ButIalsoknewtheyweregenuears,becausetheymovedmetocry,too.Awhilelater,InoticedthatHayriye,thatsnake,wasalsocrying.

    Asiftopaybackthegreen-eyedfather-in-lawforbeingthesolepersonintheroomwhowasn’tcrying,Blackandhismenbegantheirattackonthehousethatverymomentbybangingontheshuttersandforcingthedoor.Twomenwereatthefrontdoorwithabatteringramwhoseblowssoundedlikecannonfirethroughthehouse.

    “You’reanexperiencedanddignifiedman,”Isaid,encouragedbymyowntears,“openthedoorandtellthoserabidmongrelsouttherethatShekureisonherway.”

    “Wouldyousendanunprotectedwoman,yourdaughter-in-lawnoless,who’dtakenrefugeinyourhouse,outontothestreetswiththosedogs?”

    “Sheherselfwantstogo,”Isaid.WithmypurplehandkerchiefIwipedmynose,whichhadstuffedupfromcrying.

    “Inthatcaseshe’sfreetoopenthedoorandleave,”hesaid.

    IsatdownbesideShekureandherchildren.Ateachnewblow,theterrifyingnoisemadebythemenforcingthedoorbecameyetanotherexcuseforyetmoretears,thechildrenbegantocrylouder,whichinturnincreasedShekure’swailingandmineaswell.Still,eventakingintoaccountthethreateningcriesfromoutsideandtheblowsofthebatteringramthatseemedonthevergeofdestroyingthehouse,bothofusknewwewerecryingtogaintime.

    “MybeautifulShekure,”Isaid,“yourfather-in-lawhasgivenyoupermissionandyourhusbandBlackhasacceptedallofyourterms,he’swaitingforyoulovingly,younolongerhaveanybusinessinthis

    house.Putonyourcloak,donyourveil,takeyourbelongingsandyourchildren,andopenthedoorsowecangoquietlybacktoyourhouse.”

    Thisstatementofminemadethechildrenwailevenmore,andcausedShekuretoopenhereyesinshock.

    “I’mafraidofHasan,”shesaid,“hisrevengewillbehorrible.He’swild.Remember,Icamehereonmyown.”

    “Thisdoesn’tcanceloutyournewmarriage,”Isaid.“Youwerelefthelpless,ofcourseyouweregoingtotakerefugesomewhere.Yourhusband’sforgivenyou,he’spreparedtotakeyouback.AsforHasan,we’lldealwithhimthewaywehaveforyears.”Ismiled.

    “ButI’mnotgoingtoopenthedoor,”shesaid,“becausethenI’llhavereturnedtohimofmyownfreewill.”

    “MydearestShekure,Icannotopenthedooreither,”Isaid.“YouknowaswellasIthatthiswouldmeanI’vemeddledinyouraffairs.They’dbitterlyavengesuchmeddling.”

    Icouldseefromhereyesthatsheunderstood.“Thennoonewillopenthedoor,”shesaid.“Let’swaitforthemtobreakitdownandtakeusbyforce.”

    IknewatoncethiswouldbethebestalternativeforShekureandherchildren,andIwasafraid.“Butthatmeansbloodwillbespilled,”Isaid.“Ifthejudgeisn’tinvolvedinthisaffair,bloodwillflow,andabloodfeudwilllastforyears.Nohonorablemancouldstandbyandwatchashishousewasbrokenintoandraidedtoabductawomanresidingthere.”

    IonceagainunderstoodregretfullyhowdeceptiveandcalculatingthisShekurewasassheembracedhertwoboysandwailedwithallherbeingratherthananswer.Avoicewastellingmetoforgeteverythingandleave,butIcouldnolongerwalkbackthroughthedoor,whichwasbeingbatteredtothebreakingpoint.Actually,Iwasafraidofbothwhatwouldhappeniftheybrokedownthedoorandcamethroughandwhatwouldhappeniftheydidn’t;IkeptthinkingthatBlack’smen,whotrustedinme,wereworriedaboutgoingtoofarandmightretreatatanymoment,whichwould,inturn,emboldenthefather-in-law.WhenhewenttoShekure’sside,Iknewhe’dbeguntocryfaketears,butwhat’sworse,hewastremblinginawaythatcouldn’tbefeigned.

    Steppingtowardthedoor,Iscreamedwithallmystrength,“Stop,that’senough!”

    Thecommotionoutsideandthewailinginsideendedinaheartbeat.

    “Mother,haveOrhanopenthedoor,”Isaidinamomentofinspirationandinasweetvoice,asifIwerespeakingtotheboy.“Hewantstogohome,noonewilltakeissuewiththat.”

    ThewordshadhardlyleftmymouthwhenOrhanfreedhimselffromhismother’slooseningarms,andlikesomebodywho’dlivedhereforyears,slidopenthebolt,liftedthewoodenbar,thenunfastenedthelatch,andmovedbackwardtwosteps.Thecoldfromoutsideenteredasthedooryawnedopen.Therewassuchasilencethatallofusheardalazydogbarkoffinthedistance.ShekurekissedOrhan,whowasbackinhismother’slap,andShevketsaid,“I’mgoingtotellUncleHasan.”

    IsawShekurestand,takeuphercloakandprepareherbundletoleave,andIwassogreatlyrelieved,IwasafraidImightlaugh.Iseatedmyselfandhadtwomorespoonfulsofthelentilsoup.

    Blackwasintelligentenoughnottocomeanywherenearthedoorofthehouse.Foratime,Shevketlockedhimselfinhislatefather’sroom,andeventhoughwecalledforBlack’shelp,neitherhenorhismencame.AfterShekureagreedtoletShevkettakealonghisUncleHasan’sruby-handleddagger,theboywaswillingtoleavethehousewithus.

    “BeafraidofHasanandhisredsword,”saidthefather-in-lawwithgenuineworryratherthananairofdefeatandvengeance.Hekissedeachofhisgrandchildren,sniffingtheirheads.HealsowhisperedintoShekure’sear.

    WhenIsawShekuregazingonelasttimeatthedoor,wallsandstoveofthehouse,Irememberedonceagainhowthiswaswhereshespentthehappiestyearsofherlifewithherfirsthusband.Butcouldshealsotellthatthissamehousewastherefugeoftwomiserableandlonelymen,andthatitborethestenchofdeath?Ididn’twalkwithheronthewaybackforshehadbrokenmyheartbycomingbackhere.

    Itwasn’tthecoldandblacknessofthenightthatbroughttogetherthetwofatherlesschildrenandthreewomen—oneservant,oneJewessandonewidow—itwasthestrangeneighborhoods,thenearlyimpassablestreetsandthefearofHasan.OurcrowdedcompanywasundertheprotectionofBlack’smen,andjustlikeacaravancarryingtreasure,wewalkedoverout-of-the-wayroads,backstreetsandsolitary,seldom-visitedneighborhoods,soastoavoidrunningintoguards,Janissaries,curiousneighborhoodthugs,thievesorHasan.Attimes,throughblacknessinwhichyoucouldn’tseeyourhandbeforeyourface,wegropedourway,perpetuallybumpingagainsteachotherandthewalls.Wewalkedclingingtooneanother,overcomebythesensationthatthelivingdead,jinnsanddemonswouldsurelyemergefromundergroundandabductusintothenight.Justbehindthewallsandclosedshutters,whichwefeltblindlywithourhands,weheardthesnoringandcoughingofpeopleinthenighttimecoldaswellasthelowingofbeastsintheirstables.

    EvenEsther,nostrangertothepoorestandworstdistricts,who’dwalkedallthestreetsofIstanbul—thatisexcludingthoseneighborhoodswhereinmigrantsandthemembersofvariousunfortunatecommunitiescongregated—occasionallyfeltthatwewouldvanishonthesestreets,whichtwistedandturnedwithoutendthroughanendlessblackness.YetIcouldstillmakeoutcertainstreetcornersthatI’dpatientlypassedinthedaytimetotingmysatchel;forexample,IrecognizedthewallsofHeadTailor’sStreet,thesharpsmellofmanure—whichforsomereasonremindedmeofcinnamon—comingfromthestableadjacenttoNurullahHoja’sproperty,thefire-ravagedsitesonAcrobatsStreetandtheFalconers

    ArcadethatledintothesquarewiththeBlindHajiFountain,andthusIknewweweren’theadingtowardthehouseofShekure’slatefatheratall,buttosomeother,mysteriousdestination.

    TherewasnotellingwhatHasanwoulddoifangered,andIknewBlackhadfoundanotherplacetohidehisfamilyfromhim—andfromthatdevilofamurderer.IfIcould’vemadeoutwherethatplacewas,Iwouldtellyou,now,andHasantomorrowmorning—notoutofspite,butbecauseI’mconvincedthatShekurewillagainwanttohaveHasan’sinterest.ButBlack,intelligentashewas,nolongertrustedme.

    Wewerewalkingdownadarkstreetbehindtheslavemarketwhenacommotionofcriesandwailseruptedatthefarendofthestreet.Weheardthesoundsofascuffle,andIrecognizedwithfeartheclamorousstartofafight:theclashofaxes,swordsandsticksandthebellowofbitterpain.

    Blackhandedhisownlargeswordtooneofhismosttrustedmen,forciblytookthedaggerfromShevket,causingtheboytocry,andhadthebarber’sapprenticeandtwoothermenmoveShekure,Hayriyeandthechildrenasafedistanceaway.Thetheologystudenttoldmehe’dtakemehomebywayofashortcut;thatis,hedidn’tletmestaywiththeothers.Wasthisatwistoffateorsomecunningattempttokeepsecretthewhereaboutsoftheirhideout?

    Therewasashop,whichIunderstoodtobeacoffeehouse,attheendofthisnarrowstreetwewerepassingdown.Perhapstheswordfightstoppedassoonasit’dbegun.Crowdsofmenwerehootingastheyenteredandleft;atfirstIthoughttheywerelooting,butno,theyweredestroyingthecoffeehouse.Theycarefullytookoutalloftheceramiccups,brasspots,glassesandlowtablesunderthelightofthetorchesoftheonlookersanddestroyedthemallasawarning.Theyroughedupamanwhotriedtostopthem,buthewasabletogetaway.Originally,Ithoughttheirtargetwasonlycoffee,astheythemselvesclaimed.Theywerecondemningitsilleffects,howitharmedthesightandthestomach,howitdulledtheintellectandcausedmentolosetheirfaith,howitwasthepoisonoftheFranksandhowExaltedMuhammadhadturneddowncoffeeeventhoughitwasofferedtohimbyabeautifulwoman—Satanindisguise.Itwasasifthiswerethetheatricsforanightofinstructioninmoraletiquette,andifIfinallymadeithome,IthoughtImightevenscoldNesim,warninghimnottodrinktoomuchofthatpoison.

    Sincetherewerequiteafewroominghousesandcheapinnsnearby,acuriouscrowdformedinnotime,madeupofidlewanderers,homelessmenandno-goodmongrelswho’dsnuckillegallyintothecity,andtheyemboldenedtheseenemiesofcoffee.ItwasthenIunderstoodthatthesemenwerethehenchmenofPreacherNusretHojaofErzurum.Theyintendedtocleanupallthedensofwine,prostitutionandcoffeeinIstanbulandpunishseverelythosewhoveeredfromthepathofExaltedMuhammad;thosewho,forexample,useddervishceremoniesasanexcuseforbelly-dancingtomusic.Theyrailedagainsttheenemiesofreligion,menwhocollaboratedwiththeDevil,pagans,unbelieversandillustrators.Isuddenlyrecalledthiswasthecoffeehouseonwhosewallsdrawingswerehung,wherereligionandthehojafromErzurumweremalignedandwheredisrespectknewnobounds.

    Acoffeemaker’sapprentice,hisfacespatteredwithblood,emergedfrominside,andIthoughthemightcollapse,buthewipedthebloodfromhisforeheadandcheekswiththecuffofhisshirt,meldedinwith

    ourgroupandbegantowatchtheraid.Thecrowdpulledbackalittleoutoffear.InoticedBlackrecognizesomebodyandhesitate.BythewaytheErzurumisbegantocollecttogether,IknewthattheJanissariesorsomeotherbandarmedwithclubswasonitsway.Thetorcheswereextinguishedandthecrowdbecameaconfusedmob.

    Blackgrabbedmebythearmandhadthetheologystudenttakemeaway.“Gobywayofthebackstreets,”hesaid.“He’llseeyoutoyourhouse.”Thestudentwantedtoslipawayassoonaspossibleandwewerealmostrunningaswedeparted.MythoughtswerewithBlack,butifEsther’stakenoutofthescene,shecan’tpossiblycontinuewiththestory,canshenow?

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